| name | kimi-code |
| description | Delegates large multi-step work to Kimi Code CLI like a subagent—include full goal, prior decisions, scope, and constraints in prompts so isolated sessions stay aligned with the main thread (context handoff per Cognition-style delegation). Use for autonomous implementation, heavy edits, and exploration. Skip for trivial one-shot tasks or when everything is already in context. |
| allowed-tools | ["Bash","Read","Write","Grep","Glob"] |
Kimi Code CLI (subagent/task delegation)
Use Kimi Code CLI to run a separate long-horizon pass over the repo: multi-step implementation, broad refactors, batch file writes, or deep exploration—similar to handing a task to a subagent. You stay orchestrator: smaller prompts, less context burn.
When to use Kimi Code CLI
- Large or multi-step work: several files, phases, or checkpoints (feature slice, migration, test suite, docs sweep).
- Heavy code generation or editing: Kimi Code drives tool use while you summarize outcomes and merge.
- Ralph Loop: Specialized autonomous loop mode for complex task iteration.
- Parallel mental lane: you continue planning or reviewing while Kiro runs a bounded task.
- User explicitly asks for Kimi or “use kimi for this.”
When not to use
- Small / single-step tasks answerable with one or two edits or a short explanation.
- Tight feedback loops where the user wants rapid back-and-forth refinement in one thread.
- Secrets or policy-sensitive flows—avoid piping credentials; redact before delegating.
- Already-loaded context where duplicating the whole plan adds no value—handle locally.
- Low ROI (Return on Investment): If the task is "needle-in-a-haystack" (requires high precision over a single line) or if the time to compose the Handoff Table exceeds the time to simply edit the file locally.
Delegation and context (critical)
Isolated subagent context saves tokens but splits the story: Kimi Code does not see the main session's full thread. Poor handoffs cause misread subtasks, conflicting assumptions (stack, style, APIs), and wasted edits.
When composing the single Kimi Code prompt, treat it as passing enough shared state, not just a title:
| Include | Why |
|---|
| Original goal | Same north star as the user—not only the immediate micro-task. |
| Decisions already made | Framework, patterns, naming, auth approach, “use X not Y”—anything that would otherwise be guessed wrong. |
| Scope | Paths, modules, and explicit out of scope / do-not-touch areas. |
| Constraints | Performance, a11y, compatibility, review gates, “no new deps,” etc. |
| Verification | Explicit command (e.g. npm test, lint) the subagent must run and pass before returning. |
| Expected output | e.g. “summarize then list files changed,” “report only—no edits,” or “apply edits with minimal diff.” |
Model Selection & Discovery (Mandatory)
MANDATORY: Search the web for latest Kimi model names and pricing before selecting a model. You should also consult Artificial Analysis for the most up-to-date benchmarks, pricing, and model performance data.
Programmatic usage (required)
You MUST use Kimi Code CLI programmatically. Do NOT start interactive sessions.
| Requirement | Flag |
|---|
| Non-interactive | --prompt "prompt" or --print |
| Auto-approval | --yolo or --yes |
| Model Selection | --model [model_name] |
| Output Format | `--output-format [text |
Command pattern
kimi --prompt "GOAL: [goal] | DECISIONS: [decisions] | SCOPE: [paths] | CONSTRAINTS: [constraints] | VERIFICATION: [test_command] | OUTPUT: [format]" --yolo --model [model] --print 2>&1
After Kimi Code returns
- Review diffs and security-sensitive areas (XSS, injection, auth)—do not merge blindly.
- Run project checks (
lint, test, typecheck) as appropriate.
- Compress results for the user: summarize results for the user instead of pasting huge logs unless asked.
- Reconcile context: note decisions, files touched, and remaining risks so the main session stays aligned.
Quick prompts
- Delegate implementation:
kimi --prompt "GOAL: [goal] | DECISIONS: [decisions] | SCOPE: [paths] | CONSTRAINTS: [constraints] | VERIFICATION: [test_command] | OUTPUT: [format]" --yolo --print
- Investigate:
kimi --prompt "GOAL: Map how [feature] works | SCOPE: [paths] | OUTPUT: concise file:line map" --plan --print
- Ralph Iteration:
kimi --prompt "GOAL: [task] | VERIFICATION: [test]" --max-ralph-iterations 5 --yolo --print
